sofia_guks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cuppajoy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
booksinjvpiter's review against another edition
2.0
it’s getting 2.5/.75 (still unsure) because of the magic and the cliffhanger that actually made me interested in seeing how the next book will continue. the magic system and the characters were great (i really liked orion) but the plot and the writing were not it. was there even the plot before the last 100/50 pages?
i’m actually sad this one did not live to my expectations.
i’m actually sad this one did not live to my expectations.
oliviaillustrations's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’m honestly not too sure how to even rate this book. The pacing was extremely strange because in the middle of any action or conversations, our main character, El, would just go off on an extremely long monologue about something else that was mildly related to the topic at hand in the beginning but somehow veers so off track you forget what the point even was.
This book is chock full of internal monologuing and it was actually very annoying and boring.
I got so tired of hearing El be self deprecating and all sad sap about having no friends and that everyone hates her all the time but her doing absolutely nothing about it but be mean and snappy to everyone. and also, i’m sorry but you mean to tell me that everyone in this entire school hates El just based on “bad vibes?” that’s weak man.
The school and magic system was pretty interesting but I found it very hard to believe that building a school to house these magically inclined children during their most vulnerable time, without a single authority figure/adult present was unbelievable. you mean to tell me that all these brilliant and powerful witches and wizards or whatever the fuck people that thought up this school, couldn’t think of anything better than basically a jail in which nobody ever gets a moments peace, the food may be poisoned, it’s dangerous to get supplies, it’s best to walk in groups of 4ish people for safety purposes when going to and from places, but having more than just one person per room at night is extremely dangerous? and like seriously?? this is a school and there are no professors?? these kids are teaching themselves?? literally unbelievable.
this book was extremely reliant on the characters to further the plot. I did like the friends that El made along the way though. And I also kinda liked Orion, even though he really just seems like a machine only programmed to kill mals. I’m also kinda intrigued by that warning at the end from Els mom to stay away from Orion, but not sure if I’m intrigued enough to put myself through a second book.
This book is chock full of internal monologuing and it was actually very annoying and boring.
I got so tired of hearing El be self deprecating and all sad sap about having no friends and that everyone hates her all the time but her doing absolutely nothing about it but be mean and snappy to everyone. and also, i’m sorry but you mean to tell me that everyone in this entire school hates El just based on “bad vibes?” that’s weak man.
The school and magic system was pretty interesting but I found it very hard to believe that building a school to house these magically inclined children during their most vulnerable time, without a single authority figure/adult present was unbelievable. you mean to tell me that all these brilliant and powerful witches and wizards or whatever the fuck people that thought up this school, couldn’t think of anything better than basically a jail in which nobody ever gets a moments peace, the food may be poisoned, it’s dangerous to get supplies, it’s best to walk in groups of 4ish people for safety purposes when going to and from places, but having more than just one person per room at night is extremely dangerous? and like seriously?? this is a school and there are no professors?? these kids are teaching themselves?? literally unbelievable.
this book was extremely reliant on the characters to further the plot. I did like the friends that El made along the way though. And I also kinda liked Orion, even though he really just seems like a machine only programmed to kill mals. I’m also kinda intrigued by that warning at the end from Els mom to stay away from Orion, but not sure if I’m intrigued enough to put myself through a second book.
eososray's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book far more than I thought I would. I typically avoid YA, but this was a really good book. I liked the world and the characters and the potential of the story.
alissa4real's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
astronouti's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Naomi Novik just can't disappoint me! The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it's not quite my forever favourite material but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read anyway.
I love how Novik builds such unique magic systems, the way she uses languages/language studies in her books (warms my little language nerd's heart) and the way she depicts friendships between women. Although actually El gave me non-binary vibes... But nonetheless. She's brilliant at writing fantasy whilst not brushing off the trauma of what happens to the characters.
I'm already obsessed with this series and can't wait to continue it!
I love how Novik builds such unique magic systems, the way she uses languages/language studies in her books (warms my little language nerd's heart) and the way she depicts friendships between women. Although actually El gave me non-binary vibes... But nonetheless. She's brilliant at writing fantasy whilst not brushing off the trauma of what happens to the characters.
I'm already obsessed with this series and can't wait to continue it!
readwithnaya's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
shelfcarewithshan's review against another edition
4.0
Harry Potter meets dark academia meets Percy Jackson, where a bunch of teens wield magic against monsters trying to eat them. Good concept and character growth, but I felt it dragged on a bit with no real plot. 4.25/5 stars
ariieesbixx's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5